Page 37 of Every Single Vow
“What?” She gasps. “It’s a fair question.”
“It’s rude.” Penelope tucks the menus under her arm. “Why don’t you go take your smoke break.”
Fern rolls her eyes, muttering to herself as she waddles to the front.
“I swear, the older she gets, the worse the filter.” Penelope grins. “Follow me.”
I tug Dakota behind me, knowing that every eye in this place is on us. This is our first outing since the rumor mill picked up the wedding details, and there are a mixture of smiles and skepticalgazes. But I don’t pay attention to them. I let Dakota slide into a booth before I drop down right next to her.
“I have to say, when your mama called me, I wasn’t surprised.” She places the menus down before she drops her hand on her hips. “Actually, you won me twenty bucks.”
“What do you mean?” Dakota laughs.
“Just a little side bet I’ve had going with Shorty.” She winks. “What can I get y’all to drink?”
“I’ll take a water,” I answer.
“And you, sugar?” Penelope says to Kota.
“Can I get a Shirley Temple?”
“Absolutely.” She lifts a hand to wave at whoever just entered. “Be right back.”
Lunch was delicious as always, and we only had four different people come up to us with a congratulations and anI knew it would happen one day.Every time someone said it, I waited for Dakota’s reaction. Wondering how many times it had to be said before she realized the truth.
When we step out into the sunshine, I hear my name called from inside the restaurant.
Tim Ellis, the county commissioner stands from his table.
“Give me just a sec.” I motion to Tim.
“Go ahead.” Dakota waves me off, and I turn to meet him just inside the waiting area.
“Cooper.” He holds out a hand. “Congrats on the new wife.”
I chuckle, shaking his hand with gratitude. “Appreciate it.”
He nods his head toward the doors, indicating he wants to take this conversation outside. I follow, glancing around to see Kota walking in front of the hardware store on her phone.
“What’s up?” I lean against the outside of the building.
“I just wanted to give you a heads up. You can pass the message along to your father. Emmett and I go way back, and from one cattle rancher to another, I feel on a personal level as his friend that I should let him know when something comes through my office.”
My spine stiffens. “I’m not sure I like the sound of this.”
He blows out a breath. “Nothing concrete. But the RRC has been poking around. Talking about a pipeline. No specifics have been detailed but judging from their conversation it’s sounding like they’re looking out toward the ranch.”
“Fuck,” I mumble, my hand coming up to swipe across my mouth.
We just made it through a fire that nearly shut us down, now this?
“Like I said. I’ve got no orders. But it’s being tossed around. I know what your land means to your family and we try to do our best to protect it.”
“Of course.” I push away from the building. “Thanks for telling me, Tim. I’ll talk with dad. Make sure he’s prepared.”
He dips his chin. “Gotta get back to the office. Tell Ruthie hello for me.”
“Will do.”
